While many people believe that deception is necessary in marriage, deception in Nora and Torvald's marriage in A Doll's House destroys their family. Nora's inability to trust others keeps her a safe distance from any real emotions and Torvald takes advantage of this by making Nora, in his mind, exactly what he wants her to be. In other words, Nora is meek and obedient to Torvald. Nora allows this and thus makes herself into a non-entity, unnecessary for the family's survival. When Torvald is surprised that Nora actually leaves, it seems that Nora has known all along, if subconsciously, that eventually her departure will save the rest of her family from her own downward spiral.
